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Out of Spec Motoring’s YouTube channel continues its deep dives into the EV pickup market in its newest video. This time, the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T and Chevy Silverado EV had been competing in a tow check pulling an identical payloads. Every truck hauled a Tesla Mannequin 3 alongside I-70 from Denver to Grand Junction and again. This 230-mile trek every approach by the Rocky Mountains served as a superb check of every truck’s capabilities with bouts of great elevation acquire and prolonged durations of downhill driving.
Among the many rivals, the F-150 Lightning instance was finest outfitted for towing from a tech perspective. Optioned with Ford’s Tow Expertise Bundle, it offers essentially the most knowledge and options for guaranteeing a easy towing expertise. Additionally on this check is Kyle’s personal Rivian R1T Quad-motor with the Massive battery pack.
As glorious because the Lightning and R1T are, the Silverado EV 4WT has a transparent benefit because of the truck’s large battery pack. Even after factoring within the route and 6500 lb load, the Silverado EV nonetheless estimated almost 300 miles of towing vary. The opposite thrilling new car on this check is the Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast. Whereas it doesn’t have the vary of the Silverado, it’s nonetheless a significant contender with strong cost speeds and was the most definitely to reach in 2nd place.
Every truck started the race with a 100% state of cost (SoC). The beginning of the route started with an elevation of about 5,250 ft. The max elevation reached over 12,250 ft within the mountains earlier than descending to about 4,600 ft in Grand Junction.
Alongside the preliminary stretch of freeway, all autos had been at or above the posted pace restrict with Kyle averaging 65-70 mph within the Silverado EV as he approached Idaho Springs. The Cybertruck at this level within the race was maintaining tempo with the Silverado EV. Nonetheless, the Tesla deliberate early for a charging cease in Glenwood Springs, whereas the Chevy shall be driving straight by to Grand Junction. Each vehicles start to tug away from the F-150 Lightning, whose driver maintains a slower pace to maximise vary.
Because the groups approached Silverthorne, the primary downhill stretch started. The Silverado managed to tug in 160-190 kW of regen because it neared the underside of the descent. At about 70 miles into the journey, the Silverado EV was at 72% SoC, and gained 3-4% again in regen.
The F-150 gained a 5% cost and averaged of 1.1 miles per kWh for the preliminary leg of this journey. After the descent, the F-150 estimated 104 miles of vary with solely 43 miles from the primary charging cease in Edwards. The Rivian additionally carried out effectively on this stretch and each vehicles finally determined to skip Edwards and push by to the Glenwood Springs charger as an alternative.
Following the ultimate main ascent close to Vail, the Silverado EV was nonetheless at 62% SoC and averaging 0.9 miles per kWh whereas the F-150 was averaging 1.2 miles per kWh.
As they reached Vail, The Cybertruck and Lightning pulled forward of the Silverado, with the R1T slipping into 4th after deciding to preserve power. However crew Tesla and Ford wouldn’t get pleasure from their lead for lengthy. Whereas its three rivals pulled off for his or her first charging cease, the Silverado was passing them by and projecting a 24% SoC on arriving at Grand Junction.
Regardless of the Lightning’s navigation refusing to path to the Electrify America (EA) in Glenwood Springs, the Ford managed to reach with 21% SoC. The Rivian was not far behind, tapping into the EA station only a few minutes later. Fortunately for each vehicles, the chargers had been situated in an space with restricted site visitors. They had been capable of plug in with out unhitching their trailers.
Sadly, the Cybertruck’s driver did should take away his trailer on the Glenwood Springs Supercharger because of the rear cost port. Extra unhealthy information got here as cost speeds had been maxing out at a mere 120 kW, whereas the F-150 and R1T reached 170 kW and 215 kW respectively.
To avoid wasting time, he solely charged so long as vital to succeed in the following station in Rifle, the place he pulled the truck in sideways to keep away from unhooking the trailer. As soon as charging started, he breathed a sigh of reduction because the cost charge ramped as much as 245 kW.
Because the solar started to set, Kyle arrived on the EA station in Grand Junction for his first cost. After towing 230 miles, the Silverado EV averaged 1.2 miles per kWh with about 40 miles of vary left. Inside a couple of minutes, the Silverado EV reached 345 kW cost speeds. (Fortunately, he remembered to maintain the A/C turned off when initiating a cost.)
Because the Silverado was wrapping up, the Lightning arrived and plugged into the 150 kW charger, reaching a max pace of 125 kW. In the meantime, the Rivian arrived on the Journey Community charger, the place it shortly ramped as much as 196 kW. Lastly, the Cybertruck arrived in Grand Junction, plugging in to start a cost simply because the Rivian driver had accomplished his.
Sadly, the return journey was disrupted by inclement climate. After getting a big head begin, the Silverado EV was caught in a tough wintery combine close to Vail. Heavy rain and snow made for poor visibility and slick roads. Already within the thick of issues, Kyle pushed by the storm. The remaining drivers determined to name the race in Edwards the place all of them deliberate to cost. Had the race continued, the R1T would have completed 2nd, with the Lightning in third. The Cybertruck was sadly nonetheless twenty minutes behind. The Tesla seemingly would have completed 2nd with extra thorough route planning moderately than counting on the navigation system to counsel the Glenwood Springs charger.
Ultimately, the Silverado EV was the one one to finish the route as deliberate, arriving in Denver with 14% remaining after driving 472 miles by the mountains and making solely a single charging cease. Theoretically, the truck might have gone one other 30 or 40 miles had it been run all the way down to 0% at every charging cease.
General, Kyle was completely impressed with the efficiency of the Silverado EV on the journey, saying it was the primary EV he might genuinely advocate for anybody who tows lengthy distances commonly.
If you happen to’ve been on the fence in regards to the capabilities of an EV truck, does the Silverado EV transfer the needle for you in any respect? Tell us within the feedback under.
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